SR 44 Widening Phase 1 – Lake Oconee Pkwy

FAST FACTS

GDOT Project #: 0019696
Type:Reconstruction/Rehabilitation
Project Length: 10.5 miles (total)
Affected Counties: Greene
Condemning Authority: GDOT
Estimated Affected Parcels: 15+
Estimated Cost: $160,082,212 (total)
Right-of-Way Funds: $32,250,000 (total)

Description

GDOT is working on a trio of projects along the SR 44 corridor, known locally as the Lake Oconee Parkway. This first phase of the overall project aims to widen the thoroughfare to four lanes from south of King Drive to East Greensboro Bypass.

Officially, this is part of a three-phase project along with 0019697 in Greene County
from Carey Station Road to south of King Drive (Phase II), and 0006253 in Putnam/Greene Counties from Harmony Rd/Phoenix Rd to Carey Station (Phase III).

The current right of way is anywhere from 100-300 feet wide, and does not include many improvements. The new road will have a right of way varying between 140-300 feet wide. New urban sections will include bike lanes, sidewalks, and a raised median, while rural sections would get paved shoulders and either a raised or depressed median depending on need.

Stretches of the road could see significant takings, especially from commercial property owners frequently found along the route. The project also includes roundabouts in several places and, GDOT claims, no detours will be necessary as the improvements will be constructed adjacent to the existing roadway.

In all, this phase of the project will affect at least 15 parcels. Before you agree to sell your land to GDOT, contact an eminent domain attorney to make sure you’re being treated fairly!

Property Owner Concerns

Widening a road can create a lot of headaches for local property owners, especially if the new construction is happening on your side of the existing road. Be alert for hidden damages from “temporary” construction easements, slope easements, inverse condemnation, and trouble with access across the construction zone. Even the smallest taking or tweak to traffic flow could have ripple effects on the value, use, and ultimately the ability to sell a property.

As with any eminent domain taking, property owners are losing land plus whatever is on that land. Commercial property owners could lose significant improvements – it just depends. Property owners can lose a lot more than a little land. They can suffer damage to the land that remains.

If yours property is along this corridor, call 1-888-391-1339 now.

What to Do if Your Property Is Affected

There’s still time exercise your rights if you have not accepted GDOT’s initial offer. The government has allocated more than $32 million to compensate property owners for the three-phase project, but it will try to buy your property for as little as possible. In many cases, we find that the initial offer is often significantly lower than the value of what’s taken. You are not required to accept the government’s initial offer!

You have the right to fair compensation for property the government takes – even projects that claim to increase the value of surrounding property may ultimately do more harm to yours than good. “Fair” compensation could be significantly more than the first offer. Compensation for lost business income or expenses like relocation are almost never included in those offers. We can help you fight for them!

As long as you do not accept the initial offer, you can fight for more and we can help. Call 1-888-391-1339 or contact us as soon as possible for a complimentary case evaluation.

We do not take an attorney’s fee unless we increase the government’s offer, and our fee only comes from the increased amount – our no-fee guarantee. Further, we front the costs of fighting your case and if we’re unable to increase the government’s offer to you, you don’t pay them. We do. That is how confident we are that we can assist you.

News and Publications

Project Maps

Estimated Project Schedule

Right of Way Acquisition – Now

Start Construction – 2026

End Construction – TBD

Affected Parcels

An estimated 15+ parcels of property will be affected by Phase I of the SR 44 Widening project in Greene County. Property owners may lose significant amounts of land and/or property rights, representing significant financial value and usability. It is critical to understand that the government’s initial offer is just that – initial. We do not recommend you accept the initial offer.

Call us at 1-888-391-1339 or contact us online as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.

Get a free case
evaluation today.

There are only a handful of attorneys in GA who practice eminent domain exclusively. And even fewer with DOT experience. That’s why it’s always worth it to get a free case evaluation.

Here’s how it works:

1) Tell us about your situation.

2) We research your property as needed, using DOT maps, our own technology, and experience to see the exact effects.

3) We let you know what we think a fair offer would be. This evaluation is free, and there’s no
pressure or obligation to hire us after.

But please don’t wait to act. Waiting can hurt your case, and the cost is the same: free.

1-888-391-1339

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